It’s a license so epic that it needs two giants behind it.
Earlier today, Viz Media and Toei Animation announced that they jointly licensed the Mazinger Z: Inifnity anime film. Through the license, Viz acquired the theatrical, broadcast, digital streaming, EST, and home video rights for the USA and Canada.
Viz will partner with Fathom Events to host a two-day screening for the feature across the United States. The film will be shown on February 11 and 12, with both dates hosting the subtitled version of the movie. Fans who attend either screening will receive a free poster, while supplies last.
Viz started streaming a subtitled trailer for the film, which you can check out below:
Viz previously announced that they licensed Mazinger Z: Infinity at Anime NYC.
Mazinger Z: Infinity‘s global première was held on October 28, at the 12th Rome Film Fest. Series creator Go Nagai (Cutey Honey, Devilman) attended the screening as a guest. The feature is currently running in a wider release across Italy.
The film will open in Japan on January 13. Viz Media holds the domestic rights to the film and is planning a North American theatrical release.
Junji Shimizu (One Piece eps. 131 – 159, Futari wa Pretty Cure: Max Heart) was tapped to direct the new Mazinger Z movie at Toei Animation, with Hiroya Iijima (Afro Samurai, Gravitation: Lyrics of Love) providing character designs. Takahiro Ozawa is writing the movie’s script.
Other confirmed crew members include:
- Assistant Director: Yō Nakano
- Mechanical Designs: Takayuki Yanase
- Background Art: Makoto Ujiie (Green)
- Music: Toshiyuki Watanabe
Ichiro Mizuki will return to perform the film’s theme song. Mizuki has performed numerous theme songs throughout the franchise, including the original Mazinger Z TV series, Mazinger Z Vs. Devilman, and Great Mazinger.
The confirmed voice cast includes:
- Sayaka Yumi: Ai Kayano
- Koji Kabuto: Showtaro Morikubo
- Lisa: Sumire Uesaka
- Dr. Hell: Unshō Ishizuka
- Jun Hono: Ami Koshimizu
- Dr. Nossori: Bin Shimada
- Prime Minister Yumi: Junpei Morita
- Mucha: Kappei Yamaguchi
- Count Brocken: Keiji Fujiwara
- Dr. Sewashi: Kōzō Shioya
- Nuke: Masami Kikuchi
- Shiro Kabuto: Natsuki Hanae
- Tetsuya Tsurugi: Toshihiko Seki
- Boss: Wataru Takagi
- Baron Ashura (Male): Hiroyuki Miyasako
- Baron Ashura (Female): Romi Park
- Idol Mazin-Girls Member Pink: Yui P (Okazu Club)
- Idol Mazin-Girls Member Blue: Okarina (Okazu Club)
- Misato: Kana Ueda
- Misato’s Daughter: Kaede Hondo
- Secret: Ryouichi Tanaka
Azusa Tadokoro and Miku Itō will play the remaining two Idol Mazin-Girls members.
Toei describes Mazinger Z: Infinity as:
Humanity was once in danger of its downfall at the hands of the Underground Empire, which was led by the evil scientist Dr. Hell. Koji Kabuto piloted the super robot Mazinger Z, and with help from his friends at the Photon Power Laboratory, he thwarted Dr. Hell’s evil ambitions and returned peace to the world.
It’s been ten years since then… No longer a pilot, Koji Kabuto has taken after his father and grandfather by starting down the path of the scientist. He encounters a gigantic structure buried deep beneath Mt. Fuji, along with a mysterious indication of life…
New encounters, new threats, and a new fate await mankind. The former hero Koji Kabuto has a decision to make about the future: whether to be a god or a demon…
This grand action film depicts the fierce battle fought by the people and Mazinger Z–once again entrusted with the future of mankind!
Source: Viz Media (Press Release)
